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Migraine and preterm birth

Journal of Perinatology volume 31, pages 434–439 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate whether maternal migraine was associated with preterm birth.

Study Design:

Case–control sample within a population-based study of risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP). Infants without CP were matched for gestational age with those with CP. Maternal migraine was self-identified at first prenatal visit, most in the first trimester.

Result:

Infants without CP born to women with migraine had a higher rate of preterm birth (odds ratio (OR)=3.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5, 8.5), as did infants who died in the perinatal period (OR=7.3, 95% CI 0.98, 54), the difference marginal for nominal statistical significance. In all outcome groups, infants of women with migraine had a higher observed rate of suboptimal intrauterine growth. In term infants, the rate of maternal migraine was higher in those with CP than in controls (OR=2.18, 95% CI 0.92, 5.25). Pre-eclampsia was reported more frequently in women with migraine who gave birth to a child with CP or a perinatal death, particularly in those born preterm; OR=5.1 (1.3, 20) and OR=2.9 (1.1, 7.6), respectively, but not in women giving birth to a control whether term or preterm.

Conclusion:

Maternal migraine, as self-reported early in pregnancy, was associated with preterm birth in survivors without CP and in infants who died in the perinatal period. The combination of maternal migraine and pre-eclampsia was associated with CP and perinatal death. The association of maternal migraine with outcomes of pregnancy warrants further study.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia for support, and to Linda Watson and Jan de Groot for their valuable contributions to data extraction and management. This study was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia under Program grant no. 353514, approved by the Princess Margaret Hospital/King Edward Memorial Hospital Ethics Committee, the Confidentiality of Health Information Committee of the WA Department of Health and by individual hospital and regional ethics committees where required.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Center for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, West Path, Australia

    E M Blair

  2. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA

    K B Nelson

  3. Department of Neurology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

    K B Nelson

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Correspondence to K B Nelson.

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Blair, E., Nelson, K. Migraine and preterm birth. J Perinatol 31, 434–439 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2010.148

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